Ophthalmic mounting.



E. L. SCHUMACHEB.

OPHTHALMIC moimnmc. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. I917.

1 -265,531 Patented May 7,1918.

III/VENTOI? ELMER L. SCHU MAChER ATTOMEKS UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

ELMER I4. SCHUMACHER, OF SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN OPTICAL COMPANY, OF SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A VOLUNTARY ASSOCIA- TION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May "1 .1918.

This invention relates to improvements in ophthalmicv mountings and has particular reference to an improved construction of frame member.

One of the leading objects of the. present invention is the provision of a novel and improved mounting of the well known Windsor type, having an inner metallic and an outer non-metallicportion.

A further object of the present invention is the provision in a mounting of this type, of novel and improved means for readily but securely connecting the said metallic and non-metallic parts to provide a firm and unitary construction therefrom.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved structure of .this character in which much lighter weight non-metallic material may be employed than has hitherto been possible, and which will consequently present a more neat and desirable. appearance and one less conspicuous when on the face of the wearer than do similar mountings of this general type at the present time.

Other objects and advantages of my improved construction should be readily apparent by reference to the following speeitication taken in connection with the aceompanying drawings, and it will be understood that I may malte any modifications in the specific details of construction shown and described within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or exceeding the. spirit. of my invention.

Figure I represents a front elevation of a mounting embodying my iniprorements.

Fig. II represents an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner of connecting the frame ends together.

Fig. III represents a view of the outer frame member and attaching device carried thereby.

Fig. IV represents a sectional view of a slightly modified form of invention.

I ig. V is a similar view illustrating a slightly ditlerent connecting member.

Fig. VI is a sectional view of a connecting member by which the parts may be more securely drawn together.

Fig. \"ll is a sectional view of a slightly modified arrangement of the parts shown in Fig. II.

Fig. VIII is a view of another method of attachment.

Fig. IX represents a form of my inven tion in which the attaching devices are concealed.

Fig. X is an illustration of the use of an encircling band.

Fig. XI is a sectimial view of a further modification.

In the drawings. in which similar charac ters of reference are employed to denote cor responding parts throtu hont the several views, the numeral 1 designates the bridge or lens connecting member. while carried by the ends of the bridge are the metallic frame members 2 adapted to receive in their grooves 33 the usual lenses '1, and having ex tending outwardly therefrom the joint plates or end pieces 5 which are preferably suitably drawn together. as for example by the screws (3, to connect the frames but allow of their separation when. desired to insert or remove a lens from the groove 2).

I am aware that previous to my invention certain frames have been constructed in which the inner metallic frame has had formed or secured therearouml a non-metailic frame of ornamental character, preferably formed from shell, xylonite or the like, but in the form of construction hitherto em ployed, use has been made of a screw or similar fastening device, requiring a relatively large and heavy appearing outer frame member.

One of the principal objects of my present invention, therefore, is the provision of a fastening device of improved construction which may be readily applied, which may posit "ely and securely connect and unite the parts. and which will be capable of use either with the heavy frames or rims no commonly employed. or with extremely thin and light rims, as may be preferred, and which will prove equally eificient in either event.

In the carrying out ot this purpose. in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. .TI and III, I have shown as surrounding, the frame 2 the non-n'ietallic band or rim 8, while forced inward through the rim 8 is the wire. or similar fasten ng device 9 piercing the frame a short distance t'rom its end and termed with a slight head 10 to prevent; its pulling through the rim. This 't'as tening); device after being passed through is bent down against the 'innerjt'ace ol the rim and so embedded in the rim itself that the rim may lie flush against the frame member 2 and the wire. 9 will just contact with the outer face of this frame member.

ltivill he noted by reference to Fig. ll that the wire or fastening device. project's beyi'md the end ol the rim 8 and has its opp site end received and bent down into the recess as at 11. in the joint plate The strength of the member t) is such that it will normally secin'ely hold the parts together when the l'rame is open, although permitting of bendinc of its end out of the. recess it desired 't'or any reason to remove the non-met'allic band, while when the frame is secured around a lens the parallel portions of the two fastening devices 2) will abut each other and the clamping together of the plates '5 will securely lock the parts 5) against any \vitilnlrawing movement.

It is to be'noted that the plates 5 are provided with the apertures 12 through which the fastening devices 1) pass.

In Fig. 1V, 1 have shown an alternative form of my emistruction in which the member 9 extends outward from the plate 5 and has its end forced into and clenched over as at 13 in the rim 8 to securely connect the parts.

Another modified form is shown in Fig. V, in which the member 9 is-forced through the rim 8 and passed through the aperture 12 in the joint 5, but in place of being: formed with the head 10 is bent into the hook 14: which is then pressed to embcditwithin the frantic. in this form there is. therefore, no projecting head or the like to disturb the continuous curve of the outer face of the rim. and at the same time the parts are securely interlocked.

Fig. Vl illustrates another moditicd term of my invention in which the member 9 in place of being bent. over against, the plate 5 has its end threaded as at 1?) to receive the nut 16 which may be tightened up to tightly and firmly draw the end of the rim 8 against the plate i Fig. Vl'l illustrates a reversal of the parts shown in Fig. II. in that the head '10 is placed on the inner side'o't' the rim ll'lQIl'l her 8 and the fastening: device 0 comes outwardly therefrom and then is extended along the outer tare of the rim 8 in place. of the inner face beingthen similarly passed through'the aperture 12 in the plate 5 and clenched down against the inner taee of the plate.

Fig. \'lll shows a nualitication in which a plain rivet l? is used to connect the parts.

Another illustration is that ot Fig. IX, in which the prongs 18 are shown as pressed outward trom the center ot the t'raine these prongs being employed either alone or in conjunction with a locking pin 19. This is very desirable in that the t'astening devices are invisible and are capable of easy application. in that the rim member may be pressed over the prongs '18 when the .trame is opened or partially straightei'ied out. and as the frame is bent up again into round term to joir the plates 3 the bending will serve to tighten the engagement between the prongs and l raine member andrause most. secure and tight interlocking ot the parts. altl'iough permittingot' ready disengagemcnt when they 'are again widely opened.

In Fig. X. l have shown an encircling band 20 as connecting the parts.

In Fig. Ki, 1' have illustrated a slight modification ot' the construction shown in Fig. VII, in which the end (it the staple or fastening device 5) in place of lying; entirely within the recess in the inner face ot the end piece, has an extension 21 projecting inwar lly ol' the frame member a nd adapted to be received in a recess 22 in the edge of the lens, the end of the staple thus interlocl-:in; with the lens and prt-iventingrotativc movement of the lens within the frame.

It will be undcrstoi'id that while I have illustrated. a llmltiClllaT fasteningdevice in Fig. XI, having the inwardly projecting portion to engage and lock the lens, I might similarly employ the inner end of the rivet 17, a. projecting portion of the locking pin 19, or other fastening device for this purpose without in anywise departing from or exceeding the spirit of my invention it being thought necessary, however, for personal understanding of the invention, to explain but one term of my invention with the locking extension as hown and claimed.

1 claim:

ljl n a device oil the character described, the combination with a nonmetallicrim n'ieinber and. an abutment plate, of a staple carried by one of said parts and securely interloclt'inr' with the other of the parts for retaining them in engagement one witl. the other.

2. la a device ol the character described, the combination with a non-metallic rim member. of a staple embedded therein and projecting therefrom. and an abutment plate to which the projecting portion of the staple is seen red.

3. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a lens frame having abutment plates projecting therefrom, of a 'supplemental rim encircling the frame, and staples having interlocking engagement with the rim and with the abutment plates for securing the parts'together.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a lens frame, of a supplemental rim encircling the frame, plates carriedby the frame and abutting the ends of the rim, and staples embedded in the rim and clenched against the plates to securely connect the parts.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination With a lens frame having projecting portions, of a rim encircling the frame and abutting the projecting portions, and means engaging the projections and an exterior portion of the rim for drawing the 0 rim securely against the frame and its projections.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame having connecting plates projecting therefrom, of a rim encircling the frame and having its ends abutting the plates, staples embedded in and projecting from the rim, the plates having apertures to receive the staples, and the prolic and non-metallic frames and having a portion projecting inwardly to engage the notch of the lens and lock the'lens against rotation within the frames.

8. In a device of the character described,

a metallic holding member, a non-metallic member, and a staple carried by one of said parts and securely interlocking with the other of the parts for retaining them in engagement one with the other.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ELMER L. SCHUMACHER. Witnesses H. E. COLEMAN, A. S. CANN. 

